Nickle and Diming the PTA?

  I just read on Patch that the state is now telling the local PTA's that they need to charge sales tax while doing fundraisers. It leaves me just one question... 

  REALLY? 

  Let's recognize the fact that these are under-funded, under-appreciated and overworked volunteer organizations that put money and resources back into an educational system that is under-funded, under-appreciated and overworked itself. 

  I understand that these are tough financial times for all of us, including the state, but this flies in the face of reason. The only thing this will do is limit fundraisers at the local PTA level and decrease what they can do to help the schools.

  It is unfathomable that the government of a dyed in the wool liberal, blue state like Maryland could screw over a group of volunteer organizations like the PTA's that even the evil, red empire of conservatives like and support by forcing them to collect sales tax on fundraisers that benefit the education of our children. Couple that with recent tax increases, fee increases and the windfall of tax revenues that "We, the People" just gave the state in the form legalized gambling revenues and most will agree this is a brand new low.  

  Rather then taxing the people again and making it next to impossible for the PTA's to fundraise, how about cutting some expenses like the electorate has had to in these trying economic times. A good start would be with the Governor's and Legislature's salaries and benefits.  

  I will be calling my representatives in Annapolis to encourage them to fix this before it does any real damage.  I hope you will too.